Destination Door County Stewardship Plan pamphlet, April 24, 2024. PC: Fox 11 Online
DOOR COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Waves crashing to the shoreline in a bright sunny Door County morning.
It’s a morning scene along the waters of Green Bay near Egg Harbor.
The view is something those in the area want to keep. And it’s one example of the Destination Door County Stewardship Plan introduced Wednesday.
With numerous quaint communities, five state parks, and miles and miles of shoreline, Destination Door County Board Chair Tim Guckenberg says it’s easy to talk about what the peninsula has to offer. But he says there are concerns.
“Isn’t that the million dollar question? How many people is too many people? We don’t necessarily has a set number. We just want to make sure that as people continue to come and visit, that the place that we live in, and love, maintains its natural beauty and integrity,” said Tim Guckenberg, Destination Door County Board Chair.
The issue over tourism, and the environment took center stage Wednesday morning at the Kress Pavilion Library in Egg Harbor. Destination Door County President and CEO Julie Gilbert is helping coordinate the 10-year stewardship initiative.
“It has been a compilation of focus groups, community meetings, stakeholders, town halls, residents surveyed to get together to look a long term vision for Door County, moving into the the future with the visitor economy,” said Julie Gilbert, Destination Door County President and CEO.
Gilbert says those who live in Door County face issues like finding affordable housing, adjusting to the cost of living, and even traffic. She says nearly 20 groups, including non-profits, and other organizations are there to help.
“We can’t lead everything. But we can advocate, convey, and support. And our goal, and our job is to ensure that we’re all talking together,” said Gilbert.
Tim Guckenberg agrees.
“Change happens. And instead of fighting it, we are looking to embrace it, and drive it the way we want the county to go, for the benefit of the people and the natural environment,” he said.
Officials say the Destination Door County Stewardship Plan will take a lot of volunteers to get it done.
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